Hundreds of Patients in Greater Manchester Hospitals Stuck Despite Being Well Enough to Go Home
Greater Manchester hospitals face severe overcrowding, leaving many patients stuck despite being ready for discharge
Greater Manchester, NHS, Flu, Covid-19, Patients, Emergency Departments
Greater Manchester: It’s a tough situation right now. Hospitals are packed, and many patients are stuck in beds when they’re actually ready to go home. It’s all about the lack of available beds.
On December 29, there were 859 patients who could have been discharged, but only 189 actually got to leave. That’s a staggering 78% still taking up space when they don’t need to be there.
Over the years, this has been a common issue, with numbers often exceeding 1,000 patients who are stuck in beds across the region. It’s a real headache for everyone involved.
Nationwide, the NHS reported that on the same day, 16,313 patients were ready to go home, but only 5,135 were discharged. That means a whopping 68% were still in hospital when they didn’t need to be.
At the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, things were particularly bad. None of the 154 patients who were ready to leave were discharged. It’s a real mess.
Staff have shared stories of overcrowding, with emergency departments overflowing with patients. It’s not just a few extra people; we’re talking about 180 patients in some cases.
At Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, only 4% of well patients were sent home. Bolton NHS Foundation Trust had a discharge rate of just 18%. It’s clear that something needs to change.
Even at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the most hospitals in the area, only 27% of patients were discharged. Other trusts had similar struggles, with rates ranging from 38% to 41%.
Senior NHS staff have pointed out that the situation has been dire for months, especially with the recent cold snap and a surge in flu cases. Hospitals are overwhelmed, and it’s affecting patient care.
In the days leading up to Christmas, reports of overcrowding in A&E departments were rampant. Patients were waiting over 36 hours for a bed, and some elderly patients were left lying on trolleys in corridors.
One consultant described it as “corridor medicine,” highlighting that the overcrowding has been a long-standing issue, worsened by the current flu and Covid-19 waves.
Staff are calling it an “exit block.” Even though many patients are fit to leave, they can’t because the social care system is underfunded and can’t accommodate them.
People are turning to A&E as a last resort because they can’t get the care they need elsewhere. It’s frustrating for everyone involved.
Families are being asked to help get their loved ones home, but the reality is that many don’t have the resources or training to provide the necessary care.
Doctors are concerned that expecting families to fill in the gaps isn’t safe. It’s a tough ask, especially for elderly family members who may not be able to care for each other.
The ongoing “quad-demic” of Covid-19, flu, RSV, and norovirus is putting even more pressure on the system. Greater Manchester is seeing a significant rise in flu cases compared to last year.
In the last week of December, there were nearly five times as many flu patients in hospitals compared to the same time last year. It’s a serious situation that needs urgent attention.
Colin Scales from NHS Greater Manchester emphasized that they’re working hard to manage the situation and ensure patients get the care they need. They’re collaborating with local councils to safely discharge patients and free up beds.
Everyone is doing their best to navigate this challenging time, but it’s clear that the system needs support to ensure patients receive timely and safe care.